COMMITTEE FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL 2009
ROOM 21, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
Present:
Fred Cobain, MLA (Chairperson).
Cathal Boylan, MLA.
Allan Bresland, MLA.
John Dallat, MLA.
John McCallister, MLA.
Raymond McCartney, MLA.
George Robinson, MLA.
Jim Wells, MLA.
Brian Wilson, MLA
In Attendance:
Roisin Kelly (Assembly Clerk)
Conor Coughlin (Assistant Assembly Clerk)
Andrew Larmour (Clerical Supervisor)
Kevin Stewart (Clerical Officer)
Apologies:
Willie Clarke, MLA.
Alastair Ross, MLA.
Members decided to commence the meeting at 10.35 a.m. in open session.
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from:
Willie Clarke, MLA.
Alastair Ross, MLA.
2. Chairperson’s Business
Brian Wilson joined the meeting at 10.38 a.m.
The Deputy Chairperson, Jim Wells, MLA, made a statement to the Committee regarding the Committee’s visit to Dublin.
Following discussion, John Dallat, MLA, proposed the following motion:
‘That the Committee for Regional Development has 100% confidence in the Chairperson.’
The motion was seconded by Cathal Boylan, MLA, and supported by Jim Wells, MLA.
The Committee carried the motion unanimously: Ayes 7; Noes 0; Abstentions 0.
Ayes: Fred Cobain, Cathal Boylan, Allan Bresland, John Dallat, John McCallister, Jim Wells, and Brian Wilson.
Noes: None.
No Members abstained and all Members present voted.
The motion was therefore passed.
George Robinson joined the meeting at 10.49 a.m.
John Dallat left the meeting at 10.49 a.m.
Members agreed a revised forward work programme and decided to publish it on the Committee’s web pages.
3. The minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2009.
The minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2009 were agreed.
4. Matters Arising.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 25 March 2009, from the Committee for the Environment regarding proposals for the extension of designated Shellfish Water areas in Northern Ireland. In response to the Environment Committee’s request, Members decided to forward this information to the Department for comment.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 25 March 2009, from the Minister for Regional Development regarding the Committee’s response to the consultation on the removal of the exemption for operators of transport services from part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Members decided to request briefing from the Department on the outcome of the discussions between the Department, the Department of the Environment and the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister on this matter.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 25 March 2009, from the Minister for Regional Development regarding Sustrans. Members decided to forward the correspondence to Sustrans for information.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 26 March 2009, from the Department regarding the Proposed Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations 2009. Members decided to schedule consideration of this issue at a date to be determined in the forward work programme.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 25 March 2009, from the Department regarding the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations ( Northern Ireland) 2009. Members decided to consider the proposals on the outcome of the public consultation.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 24 March 2009, from the Minister for Regional Development regarding the draft collaborative spatial planning frameworks. Members decided to request briefing from the Department, in conjunction with briefing on the Review of the Regional Development Strategy, following Easter recess.
Members decided to publish the research paper concerning the reclassification of Northern Ireland Water on the Committee’s web pages.
Members noted receipt of a research report commissioned by the Consumer Council entitled ‘Tapping into Consumer Views on Water’ which was launched by the Minister for Regional Development on 27 March 2009. Cathal Boylan, MLA attended this launch and provided a short briefing to Members.
5. Roads Miscellaneous Provisions Bill – briefing on the outcome of the public consultation.
Departmental officials Dr. Andrew Murray, Harvey Hamilton, Gerry Anketell and Clare Carey joined the meeting at 11.00 a.m.
Members received briefing from the Departmental officials on the outcome of the public consultation on policy proposals for the Roads Miscellaneous Provisions Bill.
Raymond McCartney joined the meeting at 11.05 a.m.
Brian Wilson left the meeting at 11.12 a.m.
Following a question and answer session, Members thanked the Departmental officials for their briefing.
Departmental officials Dr. Andrew Murray, Harvey Hamilton, Gerry Anketell and Clare Carey left the meeting at 11.15 a.m.
Members noted the briefing provided by the Department and decided to respond to the policy proposals at the first meeting after Easter recess. Members also decided to request a copy of the late response received by the Department to the policy proposals from Northern Ireland Water Limited.
6. Briefing on M2 roadworks at Sandyknowes.
Departmental officials Kevin Monaghan and Roy Spiers joined the meeting at 11.18 a.m.
Members received briefing from the Departmental officials on the M2 roadworks at Sandyknowes.
Following a question and answer session, Members thanked the Departmental officials for their briefing.
Members noted the briefing provided by the Department.
7. Subordinate Legislation .
Members decided that they were content with the policy merits of the following SL1s, which were noted at the meeting of 24 March 2009:
- The Dill Road, Castlereagh (Abandonment) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ;
- The T6 Land Frontier-Aughnacloy-Ballygawley-Enniskillen-Belcoo-Land Frontier Trunk Road Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ;
- The Road Races ( Ulster Rally) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ;
- The Parking Places (Disabled Persons’ Vehicles) (Amendment No.5) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 ; and
- The Parking and Waiting Restrictions (Ballymoney) (Amendment No.2) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 .
Members decided that they were content with the policy merits of the following SL1, which was noted at the meeting of 24 March 2009, subject to the resolution of the objection from NIE in advance of making the statutory rule:
- The Cabragh Link Road, Dungannon (Stopping-Up) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009 .
Members noted receipt of the following statutory rule, which is not subject to any Assembly procedures but for Members’ information only:
- 2009/137 The Waiting Restrictions (Enniskillen) Order ( Northern Ireland) 2009.
8. Correspondence.
Members noted receipt of an email, dated 20 March 2009, from the Ulster Farmers’ Union regarding its response to the draft Planning Policy Statement 21 – Sustainable Development.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 23 March 2009, from O2 regarding a mast sharing agreement between O2 and Vodafone.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 30 March 2009, from the Department regarding recent developments in the recognition and acceptability of disabled badges for vehicle users from outside Northern Ireland. Following discussion, Members decided to request clarification from the Department on whether blue badges issued in Northern Ireland would be recognised in the rest of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Members noted receipt of correspondence, dated 23 March 2009, from the Department regarding the proposed DRD and DARD rural transport package.
Members noted receipt of a press release, dated 18 March 2009, regarding financial assistance for water main connections to existing properties.
Members noted receipt of a press release, dated 18 March 2009, regarding a meeting between the Minister for Regional Development and the trade unions on transport issues. Members decided to request briefing from Translink on the voluntary redundancies being offered by the company.
Members noted receipt of a press release, dated 26 March 2009, regarding publication of Northern Ireland road and rail transport statistics for October to December 2008.
Members noted receipt of an invitation to Northern Ireland Water’s official opening of the Cookstown wastewater treatment works on 23 April 2009.
Members noted receipt of an invitation to the Association for Consultancy and Engineering Northern Ireland Group’s annual dinner on 27 April 2009, in the Stormont Hotel.
Members noted receipt of an invitation to a farewell reception for Eleanor Gill of the Consumer Council on 8 April 2009 at Elizabeth House.
Members noted receipt of an invitation to the 13 th Annual Energy Ireland 2009 conference in Croke Park Conference Centre, on 10 – 11 June 2009.
Members noted receipt of an invitation to a seminar entitled ‘Joining up the dots: Britain’s constitutional territorial debates’ on 26 March 2009, at the University of Ulster.
Members noted receipt of an invitation to the 2 nd Annual Transport Ireland Conference, on 8 April 2009, in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dublin. Members decided that Assembly Research and Library Services will attend this conference on behalf of the Committee and provide a report to Members.
Members noted receipt of an invitation to a seminar entitled ‘How can we best deliver most effective World Class Apprenticeships – opening the door to better futures in public and private sectors’, on 22 May 2009, in London.
Members noted receipt of the Sustainable Development Commission Northern Ireland e-bulletin, March 2009.
9. Any other Business.
Members noted that following the meeting, a joint stakeholder engagement event with the Environment Committee, on the draft River Basin Management Plans will commence at 12.45 p.m. in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings.
Members noted receipt of an email, dated 31 March 2009, from a Queens University student currently undertaking an internship at Stormont, requesting an interview with a Member of the Regional Development Committee regarding Climate Change. Members decided that Cathal Boylan, MLA should undertake this interview.
10. Date, Time and Place of next meeting.
Members decided that the next meeting of the Regional Development Committee will take place on Wednesday 22 April 2009 at 10.30 a.m. in room 21, Parliament Buildings.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 12.03 p.m.